Donald Trump will retain possession of the FIFA Club World Cup trophy, while the championship-winning team will be left with a replica of the prestigious award.
The U.S. president is well-acquainted with receiving opulent gifts, from his luxurious ‘flying palace’ to the 24-carat gold-plated Tiffany & Co FIFA trophy now in his collection.
The FIFA Club World Cup Championship concluded on Sunday, July 13, at New Jersey’s MetLife stadium, where English team Chelsea convincingly defeated European champions Paris Saint-Germain.
Trump presented the Chelsea team with their winners’ medals and observed the Club World Cup trophy being lifted for the celebratory moment, unexpectedly inserting himself into the celebration, much to the surprise of the players.
It has been disclosed that the substantial prize hoisted by Chelsea’s captain, Reece James, was a replica. FIFA, the governing body of football, has allowed the U.S. President to display the original in the Oval Office as a decorative piece.
The trophy, adorned with a central disc and three rotating outer rings, is estimated to have cost approximately $230,000 to craft. Should Trump be permitted to retain it, the award might ultimately reside in the National Archives.
Trump recounted in a mid-game discussion with DAZN how he came to possess the original trophy as a present.
“They [FIFA] said: ‘Could you hold this trophy for a little while?’ We put it in the Oval Office and then I said: ‘When are you going to pick up the trophy’, and [FIFA President Gianni Infantino] said: ‘We’re never going to pick it up, you can have it forever in the Oval Office’,” Trump explained.
During the same conversation, the President disclosed to reporter Emily Austin that Chelsea received a replica of the original trophy for their tournament victory, meaning the team never touched the authentic trophy.
“And they actually made a new one [for Chelsea] but right now [the original] is in the Oval,” he stated.
The incident has drawn widespread attention, highlighting Trump’s awkward moment during the trophy presentation, where winners typically celebrate among themselves.
Lip-reading specialist Nicola Hickling, on behalf of OLBG, noted that midfielder Cole Palmer appeared ‘visibly confused’ by Trump’s decision to join the team during the celebration, prompting Palmer to question: “Can you ask him to move this way?… wait, what’s going on?”
Hickling also interpreted that Trump expressed a desire to ‘hold the trophy’ with the captain, to which James replied, “I got this.”
She further noted that Trump addressed goalkeeper Robert Sanchez with, “What? Let’s go,” for the trophy lift.
After the match, Palmer acknowledged his surprise at Trump’s presence, stating: “I knew he was going to be there, but I didn’t know he was going to be on the stand where we lift the trophy. So, I was a bit confused.”
According to The Athletic, Trump also received his own golden medal after FIFA chief Infantino reportedly set one aside for him.
It seems Infantino is keen on maintaining a favorable relationship with Trump, having visited Washington DC 10 times since Trump resumed office in January, and previously emphasizing the importance of collaboration with the U.S. president for the success of the 2026 World Cup, co-hosted by the US, Canada, and Mexico.
FIFA also announced plans to relocate its New York employees to a new office within Trump Tower, Manhattan, with Trump hinting at the potential of an executive order to officially rename soccer as ‘football’ in the US.